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Interjection of exasperation or frustration when something is not working properly

English Language & Usage Asked by BigBoy1337 on January 17, 2021

When I am exasperated or frustrated when something is not working properly. Not like shit or fuck, those are just “something bad is happening”, and too broad. I want something that’s more like signifying annoyance, a “this is really getting to me” type of thing. Is there a word for this?

I have heard Chinese people say “aiiyaaa” in this scenario but I am not sure if there is an English equivalent for this.

9 Answers

Here's a list which might prove helpful to you. I'm sorry the list comprises more than just one-word expressions of exasperation.

  • "Oh, bother!"

  • "Saints preserve us!"

  • "Give me grace!"

  • "Fiddlesticks!"

  • "Screw it!"

  • "Give me strength!"

  • "Lord!"

  • "I give up!"

  • "Blast!"

  • "For Pete's sake!"

  • "For crying out loud!"

  • "Give me a break!"

  • "Why me?"

  • "Good night nurse!" (This is a strange one I picked up decades ago, and I find myself using it quite frequently. I seriously doubt you will find it in any dictionary or book of expressions, but I like it. It works for me!)

  • "Good grief!" (Charlie Brown's mantra, from Charles Schulz's comic strip, Peanuts)

  • "Forgive me, Lord, for what I am about to do!"

Correct answer by rhetorician on January 17, 2021

Damn! or Damn it! are relevant.

Answered by Arsen Y.M. on January 17, 2021

You could go for an interjection like "ugh", "psht" or "tch".

Answered by Graph Theory on January 17, 2021

Possibly Shazbot? It originated on Robin Williams' TV series Mork and Mindy:

From Wiktionary:

An excited utterance used to convey disappointment, particularly as a euphemism for sh*t.

And from Urban Dictionary:

Generally used as a substitute curse-word; a euphemism.

Answered by Frank H. on January 17, 2021

Jesu Cristo - my personal exclamation in such instances.

While in Thailand I often heard something akin to the "aiiyaaa" cited above and even use that myself sometimes. Maybe in Thai more - "aheeee"

Answered by Dick Williams on January 17, 2021

Doh!

I believe this is the most accurate English translation.

Answered by aaa90210 on January 17, 2021

I don't know if this is like your "aiiyaaa", but I write, and say (when profanity is not allowable, like at work)

AAaarrrgh!!!!!

Answered by anongoodnurse on January 17, 2021

How about a touch of humor? e.g. ;'Damn, damn, double damn...and a full pint of damn for the weekend!' Credit to Peter (Hugh Laurie) and John (Stephen Fry) on "A Bit of Fry and Laurie".

Answered by user3847 on January 17, 2021

The phrase Aye Yai Yai (mentalfloss.com) is not uncommon to a Chicagoan; most likely thanks to our Spanish population. Whatever its meaning is I don't know but that doesn't matter; I know what was meant.

Do abbreviations count? no? Well, then FFS!

Answered by Mazura on January 17, 2021

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